Thibaut Simon, Media365, published on Sunday December 1, 2024 at 7:57 p.m.
In this shock of the 13th day, Liverpool got the better of the defending champion Manchester City (2-0). In a completely controlled game, the Reds largely dominated a City team which still cannot get its head above water.
Liverpool may have widened a definitive gap at the top of the Premier League. Thanks to their success against Manchester City, the Reds are nine points ahead of Arsenal (2nd) and Chelsea (3rd) and 11 points ahead of Brighton (4th) and City (5th). In a one-sided match of crazy intensity, Liverpool showed Guardiola's men the gap that existed between the reigning champion and Arne Slot's army.
Gakpo and Salah in all the good moves
Following a bad series of five defeats and a draw in all competitions, City were keen to shake up the Mersey team. But nothing went as planned. Especially since Liverpool started this meeting with a bang by finding Ortega's post from the 10th minute on a header from van Dijk. A few seconds later, Salah crucified the City defense. Launched perfectly from deep, the Egyptian found Cody Gakpo (11th, 1-0) at the far post. Already a scorer against Real, the Dutchman was once again impressive. Overtaken in the duels, City tried to resist. Van Dijk was close to doubling the lead from a corner and Alexandre-Arnold sent a shot which went very close to Ortega's goal. At half-time, the Reds logically led the score against a Manchester City team which only shot once in 45 minutes.
Guardiola will have to remobilize his men
If the second period was less intense in terms of chances, the Reds managed to dictate their game taking advantage of the defensive errors of the Cityzens. Salah on the counter was close to doubling the lead, but his shot went over Ortega's cage (55th). Nothing alarming, since the Egyptian was going to score a penalty 15 minutes from the end of the match. On a high press from Darwin Nunez, it was Luis Diaz who went on goal in front of Walker only to be cut down by the Manchester City goalkeeper. Penalty awarded and transformed by Salah (76th, 2-0). Coming into play, De Bruyne was unable to take advantage of van Dijk's error (82nd) by coming up against Kelleher. Muzzled by the Liverpool defense, Haaland also had a complicated evening. Guardiola will try to move forward with the reception of Nottingham (04/12) and a trip to Crystal Palace (07/12). Liverpool for their part will travel to Newcastle (04/12) and Everton (07/12) for a highly anticipated derby.
